Senegal hits highest-ever FIFA ranking following AFCON triumph

 

Senegal achieved its highest-ever FIFA world ranking rising up two places from 20th to 18th following their triumph in the recently-concluded Africa Cup of Nations.

The Lions of Teranga also cemented their status as the continent’s top-ranked side with a total of 1587.78 points, 40.36 more than second-placed Morocco who jumped up four positions to 24th in the world.

The Atlas Lions reached the quarterfinal stage of the tournament where they were eliminated by North African rivals Egypt.

Nigeria is the continent’s third-ranked team globally rising four places to 32nd despite suffering a shock exit in the AFCON Round of 16 at the hands of Tunisia, who themselves dropped six places to 36th.

Record seven-time African champions Egypt were one of the highest movers within the top 50 ranked nations surging up 11 places to 34th following their run to the final.

The other side to move significantly within the top 50 nations was AFCON hosts Cameroon, who rose 12 places to sit in the 38th position. The Indomitable Lions finished in third place following a penalty shoot-out win against Burkina Faso.

Former AFCON champions Algeria dropped 14 places from 29th to 43rd following their disappointing title defence which saw them crash out in the group stage with a solitary point from their three matches.

Mali also broke into the top 50, rising five places to 48th position, having reached the knockout stages of AFCON where they lost to Equatorial Guinea.

With a total of eight teams in the world top 50, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) strengthened its hold on third place in the global confederation ranking.

Elsewhere, Gambia made the biggest move in the FIFA ranking shooting up 25 places to 125th in the world courtesy of its run to the quarterfinals at the AFCON, while Equatorial Guinea who also reached the same stage rose 15 places to break into the top 100 at 99th.

Other notable rises were those of Malawi (119th, up 10 places) and Gabon (82nd, up seven places).

The next FIFA World Ranking will be published on March 31, according to world football’s governing body.